Flooring comes in seemingly countless varieties and styles, from carpet and linoleum to ceramic tile and hardwood. In most cases, people choose flooring based on the beauty it adds to a living or work space, but function and upkeep are other key factors to keep in mind when deciding which type of flooring to install. The room or space where a particular floor is installed, including the amount and type of traffic it will get, as well as the requirements for keeping the flooring surface clean and looking like new should all be considerations when making the ultimate decision on floor type. In addition to type, installation also factors into how much you pay for your new floor. Keep reading to learn more about the most popular types of flooring available.
- Carpet – Carpeting adds warmth, comfort, style, and color to any area – indoor or out – and is most typically used in living rooms, bedrooms, and other living spaces, as well as in a variety of business settings. Most carpeting products today are stain-resistant and can be installed in one day or less. Carpet fiber can be natural or synthetic, and is a good determinant of a product’s durability, comfort, and resistance to dampness and mildew. A heavier-weight carpet indicates a higher fiber count, and thus higher quality. Carpets are best cleaned by professionals, although homeowners can (and should) spot clean as necessary and vacuum regularly to extend the life of their carpet.
- Porcelain and Ceramic Tile, Marble – Ceramic tile and marble are beautiful floor options, especially when coordinated with other spaces in the home such as counters, backsplashes, showers, and walls. Domestic and imported tile offer a gamut of shape, size, color, and texture options which let you create a customized look that is unique to your taste and style. Choose from natural stone tiles such as Travertine, limestone, marble, granite, and slate; glass tiles – in a rainbow of hues you can combine to make a dramatic statement; and metal tiles – copper, iron, stainless, pewter, or bronze for a truly distinct look.
- Cork – As an eco-friendly, renewable resource, cork’s thermal and acoustical qualities make it a smart choice in a variety of residential and commercial settings. Cork, in its distinct designs and natural earth tones, resists pressure and impact, retains warmth, is anti-allergen, and is insect-, moisture-, and fire resistant.
- Hardwood – Hardwood floors come in natural solid or engineered wood product, in types that range from domestic to exotic species – pine, cherry, bamboo, mahogany, oak, hickory, maple, walnut, ash, and more – in a variety of colors and stains. Hardwood is strong, easy to clean, and naturally anti-allergen. Floors can be pre-finished, oil-rubbed, or hand-scraped, depending on the look you want, and installed as a floating floor or attached directly to the sub-floor surface.
- Laminate – Laminate is perhaps the most versatile type of flooring in that its style, color, and design options are virtually limitless. In addition, this type of flooring can work in any room of your home. Laminate can mimic the look of hardwood, stone, or tile, and it does so at lower cost. The advantages of
laminate flooring are many; laminate is: easy to clean and maintain; durable; easy to install; resists mold and bacteria; can be treated with an anti-allergen coating. - Vinyl – Like laminate, vinyl flooring comes in a gamut of types and styles, including sheets and individual tile and planks. Some designs are thought to look exactly like the hardwood or stone tile they imitate. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT flooring) is an excellent option in both residential and commercial applications, thanks to its high performance and low maintenance qualities. Vinyl, with its ease of installation, is a recommended floor type for high-traffic areas or spaces where moisture and dampness may occur.
- Linoleum – Linoleum is similar to vinyl in that it is a resilient type of flooring material, one that is often seen in public buildings such as schools and hospitals – primarily because of its durability and low-maintenance qualities. Linoleum is water resistant, but should be sealed occasionally to avoid water from penetrating the surface.
This list is by no means exhaustive in terms of available flooring options, but those presented are traditionally the most popular among homeowners. To learn more about these and other floor choices, Sovereign Construction Services can help. Owner Steve Rush brings his experience and expertise to every flooring project he completes. Call Steve today at 610-639-2986!